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Aug
17
Written by:
wyman
8/17/2010 2:36 PM
Joe was an avid Alabama football fan, and we once made the trek up to Columbia to watch Alabama and South Carolina play. That was, I believe, in the year 2001. My wife and I also had the privilege of attending the Southern Baptist Convention meeting with Joe, Ann, and my parents in New Orleans. In 2002, my wife traveled to Egypt on a mission trip with their daughter, Shannon, who was a journeyman at the time. I was also honored to marry their daughter, Shannon, to her husband, John.
Joe was a tall and big guy, a "gentle giant" if you will. (Not big as in "out of shape" - big as in solid! I used to think, "I can't imagine Joe getting riled up...and I don't think I'd want to!") Even now I'm thinking of his easy smile, his unique cadence of speech, and the wisdom he displayed time and time again as a deacon and lay-leader in the church. He was stalwart, faithful, and true, and I turned to Joe many times for advice and wisdom.
Over the years, we've kept up with Joe and Ann. Joe is Sandra Jones' older brother and Sandra's mother-in-law, the late Mrs. Bobbie Jones, was a member of First Baptist Dawson. Joe and Ann stopped in Dawson once or twice since we've been here, and we were thrilled to see them walk into church and surprise us a couple of times over the years. My wife said yesterday that they're the kind of friends that you just pick right up with even if you haven't talked to them in a while.
Pray for Ann Ingram and their dear family. One of God's truly great men has gone home to receive his reward. While I am shocked at this news, I am not shocked to find that Joe was working on a mission house in his last moments. How very like Joe: a man of service and love and concern for others.
Thank you, Jesus, for Joe Ingram.
I simply wanted to honor him here.
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6 comment(s) so far...
Re: Requiescat in Pace, Joe Ingram
W,
One of the bittersweet realities of pastoring churches is falling deeply in love with the people you serve then feeling the immense hollowness when they go to Jesus.
I hate death.
Thank God Joe Ingram now knows only Life.
My prayers are with you and the Ingrams, L
By Lee on
8/18/2010 6:22 AM
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Re: Requiescat in Pace, Joe Ingram
Thanks Lee. I was actually thinking of this yesterday, actually: that the pastor's great privilege (knowing so many great people of God) becames eventually a great probability of pain and loss. But the privilege is worth it, isn't it.
You would have loved Joe Ingram. He was the kind of guy (along with Ann, his wife) that you wished you could multiply times 10.
Thanks for the kind words.
By wyman on
8/18/2010 6:19 AM
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Re: Requiescat in Pace, Joe Ingram
i am otis & sandra's youngest daughter. dad sent me the link to this. thank you for remembering my uncle so well. how like the Lord to cross paths in multiple ways between our families ... some would say coincidence but we know much better.
while still shocked, we rejoice that his faith is now sight ... again, thank you for your kind words ...
andrea jones jenkins
By Andrea Jones Jenkins on
8/18/2010 1:22 PM
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Re: Requiescat in Pace, Joe Ingram
Andrea,
I'm so glad you posted and I am so very sorry for you in the loss of your uncle. I can imagine that Joe would be just the greatest uncle! Your uncle was a pastor's greatest blessing: faithful, true, and unwavering, and I will miss him more than I can say. Our prayers are with you all. My wife and I will see you at the service on Friday.
Wyman
By wyman on
8/18/2010 1:25 PM
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Re: Requiescat in Pace, Joe Ingram
Wyman,
Thank you so much for your tribute to Daddy. I know what a great man he was, but it is such an honor to see how many others he blessed. I know he and Mom think the world of you and Ronnie and consider y'all some of their "kids" (Shannon, Jason and I gladly share them with many of the other "young'uns" they've taken into their hearts over the years). They love you and your ministries.
Please keep Mom in your prayers especially as everyone goes back to thier "normal" and her "normal" will never be quite the same again this side of Heaven. She has been amazing through all this. She has radiated God's grace every step of the way. She continues to praise Him for Daddy's life and their time together and she point's out God's hand at work even in this time of horrible tragedy. What a testimony! I pray that we can be that strong for her in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
Thank you again. We'll see you this afternoon.
Jackie
By Jackie Jolley on
8/20/2010 7:53 AM
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Re: Requiescat in Pace, Joe Ingram
Jackie,
I am more sorry about your Dad than I can possibly say, but it is evident from your words that you and your family are striving to see this in the light of the cross...and that's an amazing testimony on your part to all of us who are watching and trying to imagine how a family can handle something like this. It's an amazing testimony, too, to the grace of God in the midst of unbelievable tragedy.
We were and are absolutely honored to have been befriended by your parents about ten years ago. Your family is just a special family.
Your Dad loved you very, very much - as you know. He was so proud of his family. You guys have honored him and your mom with your lives in amazing ways.
Our prayers are with you.
Wyman
By wyman on
8/20/2010 8:04 AM
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